Correlations between measures of atherosclerosis change using carotid ultrasonography and coronary angiography

Few studies have examined the correlation between change in carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and change in coronary artery disease. In the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study, current nonsmoking men with cor onary artery disease were randomized to colestipol-niacin or placebo. Among 133 subjects with baseline and on-trial coronary angiography and carotid u ltrasonography, colestipol-niacin treatment significantly reduced progressi on of atherosclerosis by both end point measures (2-year average change in percent diameter stenosis by coronary angiography and rate of change in car otid IMT). Significant correlations between change in common carotid artery IMT and quantitative coronary angiographic measures of change were evident over all coronary artery lesions, and in mild/moderate (< 50% diameter ste nosis), but not severe (greater than or equal to 50% diameter stenosis) cor onary artery lesions. In mild/moderate lesions, correlations with change in common carotid IMT were: percent diameter stenosis (r = 0.28, P = 0.002), minimum lumen diameter (r = - 0.28, P = 0.002), and vessel edge roughness ( r = 0.25, P = 0.003). While measures obtained by carotid ultrasonography an d coronary angiography are correlated, they each assess different aspects o f atherosclerosis change. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.